Thursday Kickoff: Man United target Cavani; Man City, No European bans from FFP; and more

Even without a full-time head coach in place, Man United are interested in opening the check-book to sign Paris Saint-Germain forward Edinson Cavani. The Uruguayan forward was acquired last summer by PSG for €60 million and it will take a bid of at least €72 million ($100 million) to bring Cavani to Old Trafford.

Cavani is one of three players that are high on Man United’s shortlist, including Southampton left back Luke Shaw (£30 million) and Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas. Man United tried and failed last summer to sign Fabregas.

The 27-year-old Cavani has scored 24 goals in all appearances in his first season with PSG. He’s expected to lead the line with Luis Suarez for Uruguay at the World Cup this summer.

Here are some more stories to start off your Thursday:

NO FFP PUNISHMENTS FORTHCOMING

Michel Platini has spilled the beans regarding some of UEFA’s Financial Fair Play investigations, saying that there will be no teams banned from European competitions.

According to an interview with Platini in Le Parisien, the UEFA president said that when the findings are released in May, there won’t be any huge punishments aimed at the investigated clubs. A number of reports in England and France have implicated Manchester City and PSG as clubs investigated by UEFA for their spending.

“In effect, the first decisions will be announced at the start of May,” Platini said in the interview. “But if you are expecting blood and tears and you will be disappointed. There will be some tough things but no exclusions from European competition.”

JANUZAJ DECLARES FOR BELGIUM

In a surprise announcement, Adnan Januzaj has changed his mind about his international future.

Despite all signs pointing towards Januzaj hoping to play for the Kosovo National Team some day, Belgium National Team head coach Marc Wilmots announced on his official Twitter account that Januzaj has declared his intent to play for Belgium for the rest of his career.

“I have received official confirmation that Adnan Januzaj will play for the Belgium national team for the rest of his career! This is great news and I am delighted that such a talented player is available for selection,” Wilmots wrote on Twitter, translated from Dutch.

Even with this big news for Belgium, Januzaj’s agent has stated that the 19-year-old is not guaranteed a place on the World Cup squad. Januzaj has had a breakout season for Manchester United, playing in 32 matches and scoring four goals and three assists.

In addition to Belgium, Januzaj is eligible to represent Turkey, Serbia, Albania, and Kosovo. Had he waited until his 23rd birthday to play international soccer, he could have potentially played for England.

QUICK KICKS

The FA have charged Ramires with violent conduct and both Rui Faria and Jose Mourinho with misconduct for their actions against Sunderland. (REPORT)

The Czech Republic and Poland have pulled out of the running to host matches in the 2020 European Championships, but Scotland plan on bidding. (REPORT)

Chelsea and Galatasaray are both interested in acquiring PSG’s Ezequiel Lavezzi. (REPORT)

Sydney FC have fired head coach Frank Farina, with 40-year-old Alessandro Del Piero being touted as his replacement for next season. (REPORT)

—————-

What do you think of these reports? Do you see Cavani coming to Man United next season without the Champions League on the horizon? Did you expect Man City and PSG to be banned from European competitions? Do you see Januzaj making the Belgium World Cup squad?

Cavani is 1 of the top 5 strikers in the world. Would dominate in France but PSG plays him on the wing when he should be central but even though he scores every other game, he’s still too good for the French league. If I were him I’d head to Real Madrid. Replace Benzema

The 2020 Euros should def be either Scotland/Ireland/Wales or Turkey or an Eastern European bloc of nations maybe like Croatia/Serbia (though perhaps Violence and football hooligans and racism might appear)

I don’t think they can unless they can any easy draw after the group stages. They are an extremely young and “inexperienced” team. Although, if we get second place in our group and they get first we have to play them, I believe. That would not be fun. Now, if they have to play Germany or Portugal that would be a different story.

So FFP was essentially meaningless, as I think most of us expected. I’d say the biggest impact this will have is on PR for clubs who were trying to sell their fans the idea of “frugal spending to give us an advantage when FFP starts being inforced” (I’m looking at you, Arsenal). Now it couldn’t be clearer that the only advantage from frugal spending is a bigger check going into Kroenke’s account.